Arkaroola

That evening I drove from Italowie Gap, to the hub of the Gammon Ranges, Arkaroola. On arrival I was greeted by the sounds of calling Boobook's, and made my way to the campground to setup for the night. Awaking to the usual outback chorus of screeching Little Corella's, there were plenty of good birds around the campground. Ravens, the opportunists looking for last nights leftovers, and a stunning Sacred Kingfisher, both perched in the dawn sun near my tent. Ringnecks were in the shaded trees around the fringes of the campground, as well as Mistletoebirds working the lower branches. I packed up and set off to explore the area. First stop was the Arkaroola waterhole...a terrific spot! Probably even better being mid-summer with few people around. Diamond Doves, Peaceful Doves, Zebra Finches, and Grey-fronted Honeyeaters all coming down to drink at the waterhole. A suprise visitor was the gorgeous (and endangered) Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby. Such a beautifully marked wallaby...the most stunning marsupial I've seen in Australia. Further in from the waterhole, I flushed a Southern Boobook at roost in the trees... maybe the one I heard the night before? In the same area, Variegated Fairy Wrens and Chestnut-rumped Thornbills hopped around the trees. After relaxing in the shade of the cliff faces and surrounding trees, I headed off to the intriguing descriptions of the radioactive Parlana Hot Springs, stumbling onto a few more Redthroats on the way. On reaching the springs there were plenty of birds around...but more alluring were the red and blue dragonflies skimming the surface of the sureally coloured bubbling springs. Butterflies, birds and and dragonflies made this a great spot to spend the day, and worth the 30km of rough and rugged road. On the way out of Arkaroola, a family of Emu's strolled lazily in the heat of the day.